Solomon Islands, represented by Prime Minister Hon. Jeremiah Manele, has highlighted national progress in advancing the rights and empowerment of women and girls during the United Nations High-Level Meeting marking the 30th anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing.
The meeting, held as part of the 80th Session of the UN General Assembly, brought together world leaders under the theme “Recommitting to, resourcing and accelerating the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action to achieve gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls.”
The High-Level Meeting served as a global platform for governments, UN agencies, civil society, and activists to take stock of progress since 1995, reaffirm political will, and mobilize resources to close persistent gaps in achieving gender equality. It has been described as a “once-in-a-generation opportunity” to deliver on the promises of the Beijing Declaration, which remains the most comprehensive global agenda for the rights of women and girls.
In his address, as Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum, Prime Minister Manele also outlined the Solomon Islands’ efforts to translate these commitments into action. He highlighted the government’s initiatives in education, including second-chance programs at the Solomon Islands National University for women who left formal schooling due to pregnancy.
On health, he noted that nine out of ten births in the country are now attended by skilled professionals. He also highlighted targeted initiatives such as the distribution of reusable menstrual pads to schoolgirls, cervical cancer vaccinations, and the removal of taxes on menstrual products as concrete measures supporting women’s health and dignity.
Prime Minister Manele reaffirmed the government’s determination to protect women and girls from violence through strong legal and policy frameworks. These include the Family Protection Act, amendments to the Penal Code, the Child and Family Welfare Act, and the National Policy to Eliminate Violence Against Women and Girls.
He also stressed the importance of economic empowerment, pointing to the growth of women’s savings clubs and rural financial literacy programs that provide seed capital for women to pursue small business opportunities.
While recognizing the progress achieved, Prime Minister Manele acknowledged that more work remains, particularly in elevating women into leadership and decision-making roles. He reaffirmed the Solomon Islands’ commitment to the Beijing Platform for Action and to ensuring that women and girls can live in peace, security, and dignity.